Anne of Green Gables

April 5, 2011 Uncategorized 5

Anne of Green Gables


Author: L.M. Montgomery
Publication Year: 1908

About the Book: When Marilla Cuthbert’s brother, Matthew, returns home to Green Gables with a chatty redheaded orphan girl, Marilla exclaims, “But we asked for a boy. We have no use for a girl.” It’s not long, though, before the Cuthberts can’t imagine how they could ever do without young Anne of Green Gables–but not for the original reasons they sought an orphan. Somewhere between the time Anne “confesses” to losing Marilla’s amethyst pin (which she never took) in hopes of being allowed to go to a picnic, and when Anne accidentally dyes her hated carrot-red hair green, Marilla says to Matthew, “One thing’s for certain, no house that Anne’s in will ever be dull.” And no book that she’s in will be, either. 

Me at the house Green Gables was based on
My Thoughts: I have long been obsessed with a fan of the Anne of Green Gables story. Gilbert Blythe is my longest standing crush (tied with Davy Jones of the Monkees!) I love the books; I love the movies; I just love Anne! I love her imagination, her determination, her loyalty, her vulnerability. When you look at all the things she went through it would have been easy for her to shut herself off and become hardened. Yet time and time again she opens herself up and takes the risks to care. You may notice that I’m talking about her as is she were a real person. I have a really hard time remembering that she’s not. 
 
Lovers’ Lane
This past summer I was lucky enough to travel to Prince Edward Island (where the story takes place and the author was raised) with a fellow Anne loving coworker. Even amidst all the places and things that tell of L.M. Montgomery’s life I had a hard time remembering that she was the real person and Anne was just a character. 
Gil in Avonlea
We were able to visit the house that Green Gables was based on, walk down Lovers’ Lane, sit by “The Lake of Shining Waters,” and see the real Gog or Magog (I can’t remember which. One broke years ago.) We drink raspberry cordial, had chocolates from Anne of Green Gables Chocolates, visited a replica of Avonlea, and saw Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. I even got to have my very own Anne braids! There is a whole shop in Avonlea full of DRESS UP CLOTHES! Is this not the best thing EVER?!?!?! 

Basically it was a childhood ream come true. 

Rockin’ the Anne braids
And yes, I learned a lot about L.M. Montgomery as well. We bought books in a small shop located on the property she was raised on, saw a replica of her wedding dress, stopped by every house on the island she ever so much as glanced at, and stayed at a hotel across the street from her grave (We didn’t visit it. I find that kind of creepy.) It was so interesting to read her writings while visiting the places she was writing about. Many of her stories are based on events that actually took place. There were so many artifacts and locations from her books we could physically see. It was so amazing to be that involved in a story. As I sit here and think about it I can’t imagine any other story/author that I could have that experience with. It helps that Prince Edward Island is beautiful and full of some of the kindest, most genuine people you could ever hope to meet! 

So yeah, to me…. Anne is real. Which means Gil is real. Which is like, you know, a plus 😉

Related Posts

5 Responses to “Anne of Green Gables”

  1. Stephanie

    I’ve always wanted to do this! It looks like so much fun, and I love Anne of Green Gables. Plus, Prince Edward Island is so beautiful. So cool you got to go!

    Reply

  4. Emilie

    I haven’t read the books but I remember going to the house and other sites when I was 6 or 7 years old (so close to 15 years ago). And as a Canadian, I just have to point out that Prince Edward’s Islands (and the rest of Canada) is absolutely awesome.

    Reply

Leave a Reply